SHERMAN OAKS – SOCES head coach Jennifer Crockett is finally getting the recognition her program deserves after dominating the Valley League, where the Knights are a perennial powerhouse. However, as the only female head coach of a boys’ varsity basketball team in Los Angeles, she acknowledged that her squad was playing “up” against an experienced Arleta team riding a four-game league win streak.

Arleta’s upset over Grant, which had won 40 straight East Valley league games, propelled the Mustangs into playing their best ball. Head coach Jason Hill saw this matchup as a playoff tuneup, hoping to get his bench more involved. But SOCES had other plans. Underestimated from the tip, the Knights absorbed every punch the Mustangs threw while maintaining their poise, and ultimately the Knights refused to be denied.

Hill, known for his even keeled coaching style, watched as his Mustangs struggled to outwork SOCES in a back-and-forth first quarter. In many ways this was a matchup of two very evenly matched teams. Led by battle-tested seniors Emiliano Lopez and Juaquin Corleto, Arleta started strong. Corleto drained the game’s first three-pointer. But the Knights’ relentless trapping defense targeted Lopez, forcing a turnover on his signature left-handed drive, leading to SOCES’ first points.

The Mustangs held a slim 12-10 lead midway through the first when SOCES began finding success from the perimeter. Dominated by the dynamic O’Daniel brothers (senior point guard Evan and junior Andre) SOCES often relied on their on-court chemistry.

Andre, the Knights’ leading scorer, who came in averaging 26 points and seven rebounds drew immediate double-teams. But that defensive focus freed up sharpshooting junior Tyler Pearson, who drained two critical three-pointers, igniting a 12-0 SOCES run to close the first quarter with a commanding 22-12 lead.

Evan O’Daniel caught fire in the second quarter, sinking two threes from the top of the key. Meanwhile, Arleta’s full-court pressure intensified, led by junior Luke Dizon, whose hustle led to multiple steals and second-chance points. Despite his smaller stature, Dizon outworked everyone on the floor, scoring three baskets in the quarter and securing key offensive rebounds, embodying the relentless energy Hill preaches.

Lopez, Arleta’s offensive catalyst, found his rhythm at the free-throw line, using his crafty driving ability to drive deep into the paint and draw fouls. Lopez went 4-for-6 from the charity stripe in the quarter, but the Mustangs still couldn’t make up any ground. At times the basket seemed to have a lid with shots rolling around the rim but not dropping.

Credit the relentless Knights defenders who flew to the ball on an evening when the Mustangs couldn’t make one more pass and find the open man, as they had against Grant. Meanwhile, SOCES’ perimeter shooters kept hitting big shots. Senior Hector Alvarado got in on the act and buried a deep three, catapulting the Knights ahead by double digits at halftime, 38-26.

True to their identity, the Mustangs refused to fold. Hill had built a resilient squad and Crockett expected they’d ramp up the intensity after the break. Lopez continued attacking, fighting through double teams and getting fouled, drawing eight more free-throws in the third quarter, cashing six to chip away at the deficit. But whenever Arleta seemed poised to take control of the game, Andre O’Daniel responded, grabbing a loose ball, sinking a mid range, getting to the foul line and totaling eight of SOCES’ 16 third-quarter points. Dizon’s dramatic putback at the buzzer pulled the Mustangs within striking distance, at 54-48 entering the final frame.

Dizon wasted no time in the fourth, forcing a steal and dishing to Lopez for a quick layup, making it a four-point game. Moments later, junior Isaiah Reyes grabbed his fourth offensive rebound and finished inside, trimming the gap to 54-52. The momentum had shifted. Could SOCES withstand the pressure?

This is where Crockett’s emphasis on fundamentals paid off. Crockett’s Knights stayed composed, methodically moving the ball as they had all game when Andre O’Daniel delivered a tough layup, stretching the lead back to four. With Mustangs flying to the perimeter to guard against another 3-pointer, Pearson found senior Anthony Sedas on a backdoor cut, pushing the Knights’ advantage to 66-59 with 2:19 remaining. Crockett then adjusted the tempo, slowing the game down to drain the clock.

Corleto hit a 3-pointer that was followed by a rare SOCES misstep—a backcourt violation on Andre O’Daniel—which gave Arleta a lifeline with 1:37 left in the game, trailing by six. Sophomore Isaiah Cacho, who had been quiet most of the night, stepped up with a clutch corner three, cutting the deficit to 67-64 with 37.9 seconds left. When O’Daniel’s response for SOCES from deep missed, Arleta had one last possession with 8.5 seconds to go, down by three.

SOCES’ defense rose to the occasion, as they had all night, flying to the ball and forcing the Mustangs to jack up a contested three. Though Reyes secured the rebound and scored at the buzzer, it was too little, too late. The Knights held on, proving once again that they belong among the better teams in the valley, escaping with a thrilling 67-66 victory.

Lopez led Arleta with 24 points and 5 rebounds, while Corleto was limited to 11 points. Dizon contributed across the board with 8 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds. His Mustangs finished 17-8 (9-3 in East Valley) but Hill was disappointed after the game: “Just no energy. No effort. Came out a little flat. But we’ll practice on Saturday, just wait for seedings and go from there.”

Andre O’Daniel matched his season average with 26 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Evan O’Daniel had an efficient 17-points, while Pearson added 16 for SOCES, knocking down four three-pointers. Sedas anchored the Knights’ defense with 8 boards and 2 blocks. SOCES ended their regular season 21-6 (10-0 in Valley) and Crockett was optimistic after the match, “From where we started at the beginning of the year? We were forcing a lot of shots. We weren’t moving the ball very well. And now, we’re moving it so well… It looks good. We’re scoring. They have all their tools in the toolbox and now they’re executing.”

Arleta and SOCES await their playoff seedings today (Sunday).

photos by Benjamin Becher and Henry Barrial